The Smoking Cuban
FanSided

Dallas Mavericks: Ranking the projected starting centers across the NBA

By Kohl Rast

DALLAS, TX - APRIL 3: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks makes his entrance before the game before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - APRIL 3: Dwight Powell #7 of the Dallas Mavericks makes his entrance before the game before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 3, 2019 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 16
Next
PORTLAND, OR – JANUARY 9: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 9, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – JANUARY 9: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 9, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

24. Wendell Carter Jr. – CHI

It would be very surprising if Wendell Carter Jr. was not higher on this center ranking by the end of the season, but with only one year under his belt, it is hard to justify putting him too much higher than this just yet. His first season in the league started slow and ended early, but he did show really good signs for the Bulls in the upcoming season.

Carter was a player that the Mavs apparently had interest in if they did not make the trade happen to get Luka Doncic and I think he would have been a worthy selection at that point in the draft. He is one of only three starting centers from the 2018 NBA Draft and even though he is the lowest ranked of the three, it does not mean he has underperformed.

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles for rebound position against Aron Baynes #16 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 28, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers battles for rebound position against Aron Baynes #16 of the San Antonio Spurs in Game Four of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 28, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

23. Dwight Howard – LAL

The Dwight Howard fiasco has been one of the most interesting sagas in recent NBA history as one of the most physically dominant players the league has ever seen went from a superstar to a nobody seemingly overnight. Howard is ready to try and set aside some of his demons with a redemption season back where most of these issues all began. Will L.A. be kind to him this time?

Until I see a glimpse of the real D-12 (or D-39?), I can’t put him any higher than 23rd on the rankings. He obviously has the skill set and experience to be a top 10 center in the league, but his best days are behind him and now the 33-year old is just trying to find firm ground to stand on and put his name back on the good side of basketball before it is too late.

Home/Mavs News